Fierce gunbattle in Indian Kashmir leaves 7 dead

By AIJAZ HUSSAIN, Associated Press Writer
| 1:02 a.m.May 7, 2010

An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard outside his post as civilian look on after an attack in Srinagar, India, Tuesday, May 4, 2010. A civilian was injured a grenade was hurled at a bunker of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) near the city centre by suspected rebels, according to reports. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
— AP

An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard outside his post as civilian look on after an attack in Srinagar, India, Tuesday, May 4, 2010. A civilian was injured a grenade was hurled at a bunker of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) near the city centre by suspected rebels, according to reports. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
/ AP

SRINAGAR, India 
A fierce gunbattle between Islamic rebels and Indian security forces in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir has left five insurgents and two soldiers dead, an army spokesman said Friday.

Fighting erupted Thursday night in densely forested Rafiabad - about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Srinagar, Indian Kashmir's main city - after army troops and police received information about the presence of militants in the area, Col. Vineet Sood said. Five militants and two soldiers died in the clash, and search operations were continuing.

In a telephone call Friday to Current New Service, a local news agency, a man who identified himself as a spokesman for Hezb-ul Mujahedeen, Kashmir's biggest rebel group, said four of the guerrillas killed belonged to his group.

The man, who gave his name as Ahsan Ilahi, told the news agency three soldiers were also killed in the fighting.

Hezb-ul Mujahedeen is one of a dozen rebel groups fighting Indian rule in the disputed Himalayan region.

On Wednesday, rebels ambushed an army patrol in the restive region, killing two soldiers.

Both India and Pakistan claim all of Kashmir and have fought two wars over it. The rebels have fought since 1989 for the Indian-controlled portion's independence or its merger with Pakistan.

India accuses Pakistan of funding and training militants in the Pakistani-held portion of Kashmir, and facilitating their entry into Indian Kashmir to fight government forces.

Islamabad denies the charge, saying it only gives moral and diplomatic support to the rebels.

More than 68,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the uprising and subsequent Indian crackdown.